Kim McMillan endorses Mike McWherter

Perhaps the only shocker here is that it didn’t happen sooner: Former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan today endorsed Jackson beer distributor Mike McWherter for governor. McWherter has been the only major Democratic candidate for governor since McMillan dropped out of the race nearly a month ago to run for mayor of Clarksville.

The presser, complete with glowing praise between fellow party members, is after the jump:

McMillan Endorses McWherter For Governor

Clarksville – Kim McMillan, former state House Majority Leader and one time Democratic candidate for Governor, today endorsed her former primary rival Mike McWherter for Governor.
“Mike McWherter would be an outstanding Governor who will put the needs of Tennessee’s working families first,” said McMillan. “Over the past few months I’ve gotten to know Mike better as we campaigned across the state, and in that time I found that he cares deeply for Tennessee families who struggle to make ends meet, and he understands what needs to be done to get our economy back on track and get Tennesseans back to work.”
McMillan, a long time advocate and champion for children and family issues, said that “as a small businessman, McWherter brings to the race a fresh unique perspective and a sincere willingness to think outside the box in how we need to address major issues like education reform and job creation.”
McMillan served 12 years in the Tennessee General Assembly and was elected as the first woman in Tennessee to serve as House Majority Leader. In 2006, McMillan was appointed by Governor Bredesen to serve as his senior advisor, and more recently has worked at Austin Peay University as a professor and Director of Community and Business Relations. She’s currently a candidate for Mayor in her hometown of Clarksville.
McWherter, the remaining Democratic candidate in the race, is a businessman from Jackson, Tennessee. McWherter and his wife Mary Jane are the parents of two teenage children. To read more about McWherter visit his web site at www.mikemcwherter.com.